Meghan Markle and Harry wade into politics with new text hotline

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation shared information regarding a text service in support of American citizens who are planning to cast their ballot on or before November 8 for this year’s Midterm Elections. A brief message shared on October 28 by the organisation said it “believes in the importance of civic participation, no matter who you vote for” and invited those eligible to exercise their right to do so. The statement also promoted Vote Early Day, a civic holiday, this year marked on October 28, launched in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and focused on helping voters to know “how, where and when they can vote early”. The message added: “Text ARCHEWELL to 26797 to make a plan to vote on or before November 8th and to receive reminders for all upcoming elections.” This comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who, given their non-working royal status, no longer have to abide by the same standard of political neutrality binding members of the Firm – spoke widely about voter registration and the importance to vote in the summer of 2020, ahead of the US Presidential Elections which saw Joe Biden winning against Donald Trump. In September two years ago, they filmed a video for the Time 100 TV special on ABC in which the Duke urged voters to “reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity” while the Duchess described the upcoming vote as “the most important election of our lifetime”.FOLLOW THIS LIVEBLOG FOR UPDATES ON THE ROYAL FAMILY Meghan Markle and Prince Harry launched Archewell in late 2020 (Image: GETTY)